Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Feb 10: Hejamady tollgate personnel have started collecting toll charges from all taxis bearing KA20 registration that are outside the 5 km limit from Friday, February 9. This led to heated arguments several times during the day between the taxi drivers and the staff of Hejamady tollgate

Due to the pressure exerted by the taxi owner and drivers' association, the toll collection was temporarily stopped from the evening of Friday. When the scribes contacted the deputy commissioner of Udupi district with regards to this issue, she replied that no such issue was brought to her notice and she will conduct the inquiry on the same.

Ramesh Kotian, honorary chief secretary of Udupi district taximen association, said, "I had spoken to the officials at Hejamady tollgate on the morning of Friday, February 9 in this regard over the telephone. They told that they are just conducting a survey of taxis. However, the officials of Navayuga Company, which has the contract to collect the toll, made a U-turn in the evening and said that they are collecting the toll from taxis as per the order of higher authorities,”

"It is impossible to pay toll at all the tollgates in the district including Hejamady and Suratkal. Either the toll gate at Suratkal needs to be closed or the toll collection has to be done only after the completion of the four-lane highway work in the district. I will meet the deputy commissioner of Udupi along with the delegation and place an appeal in this regard," he added.

Temporary relief

Officers of Navayuga Company, who saw the huge crowd of taximen near the toll gate at 7 pm, felt that a protest would take place and told the chief of Udupi taximen association that they would not collect toll from taxis till Monday, February 12.

“Further decision will be taken after discussing the issue with the concerned,” they said.